Boat seat

ABSTRACT

A boat seat equipped with a rotatable, transparent shield which can be positioned in front of the seat when in use and rotated behind the seat to a storage position. In a preferred embodiment, the shield is mounted on the seat arm rests which are in turn rotatably attached to the seat, and the shield may be rotated in front of the seat to shield the user from wind, above the seat to protect against rain, and behind the seat for storage.

[451 Nov. 19, 1974 United States Patent [19] Rhodes Mcllvane 10/1956 Coleman......................l........

L e d W 0 S 3 3 5 77 9 99 1 11 W 80 l 1 7 20 8 9 6 5 2568 6696 ,5 2233 Barker [22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John M. Harrison [21] Appl. No.: 347,060

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, the shield is position. In a preferred embodiment mounted on the seat arm rests which are in turn rotatably attached to the seat, and the shield may be rom N m m A P. g m T S e D R E W N U Q U.

tated in front of the seat to shield the user from wind, above the seat to protect against rain, and behind the seatfor storage.

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b S S a 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures d n o m m a H PATENIE mv I 91914 BOAT SEAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new and improved boat seat and particularly, to a new and improved fishing boat seat which is equipped with a transparent shield capable of being selectively positioned in front of the seat to protect the user from the elements or behind the seat in stored position, as desired. The shield can also be positioned above the seat to protect the occupant from rain, and while in stored position is completely out of the way.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, the principal method of protecting the occupant or occupants of boats during inclement weather was by use of a canopy or top, which on smaller models is usually retractable, and is generally adapted for attachment to the boat windshield by snaps or clamps. These protective canopies are most prevalent in pleasure boats used in lakes and rivers, and are seldom used on fishing boats, and particularly, modern bass fishing boats, since the canopies do not allow freedom of movement by the occupant in either functional or retracted position. Since fishermen, and particularly bass fishermen, must have a 360 degree freedom of movement in the boat and must also be free to cast at all angles from the boat, such conventional tops or canopies are impractical, both while extended for use, and when retracted.

Another shortcoming frequently found in conventional canopies is the relatively long period of time required to extend and retract them. Generally, the tops are mounted on metal frames which are adapted to fold and extend as needed. The unfurling and folding of the canopy fabric around this frame frequently causes delay in using the boat, and many times inclement weather strikes so suddenly that the boat occupants are exposed for a considerable period of time before the top can be raised and properly positioned.

A still further problem encountered with conventional fabric-frame canopies is mildew and rotting of the fabric. Since the canopy must be stretched in order to fasten it to the boat windshield, it frequently splits or tears after a period of use, due to rotting, and mildew, of course, results in an unsightly appearance when the canopy is extended.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved device for shielding the occupant or occupants of a boat, or other watercraft, and particularly, occupants of those boats having pedestal-type seats, from the elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved weather shield which is connected in rotatable relationship to the boat seat and can be selectively placed in front of the seat as a windshield, above the seat at substantially any angle as a canopy for protection against rain, and behind the seat for convenient, out of the way, storage when not in use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained, weather proof watercraft seat which is equipped with a combination windshield and canopy member which can be mounted on the arm rest or other portion of the seat and rotated in an are from a position directly in front of the seat to a stored position directly behind the seat, or removed and placed behind the seat for storage, as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a weather shield which can be simply and easily adapted to existing boats and particularly, to pedestal-type boat seats such as those frequently used in bass boats.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a weather shield-equipped boat seat in which the shield'may be adjusted closer to or further away from the user when positioned in the forward configuration, and which shield, when in such functional position, doubles as a windshield and safety device to prevent the user from being thrown from the boat.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a 1 weather shield bass boat seat wherein the shield is robass boat seat, the arm rest assembly being adapted to rotate through essentially a arc, thereby enabling the attached shield to' be rotatably positioned ahead of the boat seat and to a stored position behind the seat as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of the invention are provided in a boat seat equipped with a weather shield, which includes the following elements:

1. A boat seat, and particularly, a pedestal-type boat seat mounted to the floor of a boat.

2. At least one arm rest member or assembly connected in rotatable relationship to the boat seat.

3. A weather shield connected to one end of the arm rest assembly whereby when the assembly is manipulated by the user, the shield can be selectively positioned ahead, above, and behind the boat seat, as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood in view of the following description presented with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the boat seat of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the boat seat illustrated FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the adjusting pin function illustrated in FIG. 5 along lines 6-6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the boat seat of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1, and comprises support 2 and back support 3. Support 2 is mounted on pedestal 4, which pedestal is in turn affixed to the boat floor by means of pedestal mount holes 17 and mounting bolts (not illustrated).

Seat 1 may be adjusted to a higher or lower position with respect to the boat floor, and may be locked into a non-swivel position by means of seat adjustment 16. Transparent shield 5 is carried by shieid mounts 6, braced by shield mount spacers 7, and can be adjusted higher or lower relative to shield mounts 6 by inserting pins (not illustrated) through registering apertures 19 and 18, respectively, in shield mounts 6 and shield 5. Shield mounts 6 are slidably disposed between locking plates 14 and shield mount plates in the arm rest assembly, and are held in position by adjusting bolts 11 and adjusting knobs 9, adjusting bolts 11 being threaded on'one end and adapted to receive adjusting knobs 9 in threaded relationship.

Reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing illustrates the arm rest assembly of this invention with adjusting pins 12 positioned through locking plates 14, shield mount plates 15, and slots 6a in shield mounts 6. Such positioning of adjusting pins 12 allows the shield mounts to be slidably adjusted with respect to locking plates 14 and shield mount plates 15 when adjusting knobs 9 are unscrewed from adjusting bolts 1 1. This action also removes locking pins 13 from the shallow holes (not illustrated) in brace 10, to allow rotation of shield 5 into substantially any position in front of,

above or to the rear of seat 1. The shield can then be adjusted into a desired position by again tightening adjusting knobs 9. It will be recognized that shield 5 may be locked into both the forward functional position and the rear storage position by the tightening action of knobs 9 on locking pins 13. Adjustment of the shield into intermediate positions between front and rear can be achieved by applying sufficient pressure on adjusting knobs 9 to cause the shield to remain in place by friction between the arm rest assembly and brace 10.

FIGS. 2-4 further illustrate side, front and rear views of the boat seat, and FIG. 2 shows the direction of rotation of the shield from front to rear when adjusting knobs 9 are unscrewed from adjusting bolts 11. As fur ther illustrated in FIG. 2, while in storage position, shield 5 fits closely behind back support 3, and seat 1 can be rotated throughout a 180 degree range.

While it will be appreciated that the lock and release arm rest assembly particularly illustrated in FIG. 5 of v the drawing may be characterized by alternative configurations, it is preferred to use the assembly so illustrated in order to provide the necessary strength and ease of manipulation. By application of this assembly, shield 5 may be quickly and easily adjusted toward or away from the user, higher or lower with respect to the user or rotated above or behind the user by manipulation of adjusting knob 9. Furthermore, as heretofore noted, seat 1 may be raised, lowered, swiveled throughout 360 degrees, or locked into a non-swivel position by use of seat adjustment 16 while the shield is in stored configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shield mounts 6 are constructed of telescoping, concentric tubes, the outside tube of which is releasably secured to locking plates 14 and shield mount plates 15 by means of adjusting bolt 11 and adjusting knob 9. In this embodiment shield 5 is secured to the inside tube, and may be positioned closer to or farther away from the seat by extending and telescoping the concentric tubing. In order to provide essentially frictionless extension and retraction movement, the tubing may be equipped with sleeves, each of which are adapted to ride on the adjacent tubing in concentric relationship. For example, the inner tube which carries shield 5 may be equipped with a sleeve at the end opposite the shield, which sleeve is secured to the outside of the tube and is adapted to ride inside the adjacent larger concentric tube. Similarly, this larger tube may be fitted with a sleeve at the end closest to shield 5, which sleeve is mounted inside the tube and is adapted to ride on the outside of the tube carrying shield 5. In like manner, additional concentric tubes may be utilized for such extension as is desired, with the outermost tube mounted on locking plate 14 and shield mount plate 15, as heretofore described.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment of shield 5 with respect to shield mounts 6 is accomplished by means of spring loaded pins or clips for quick and easy manipulation.

Although the instant application has been described with reference to a boat seat designed specifically for the'folding mechanism illustrated in the drawing, it will be appreciated that this mechanism can be adapted to substantially any existing boat seat. Thus, existing boat seats may be fitted with the equivalent of brace 10 and the folding mechanism particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings, and folding apparatus may be mounted thereon as in the seat described herein. Alternatively, the shield and shield mount may easily be adapted for removable attachment to the front and rear of substantially any existing boat seat, including benchtype seats, and may accordingly be affixed for use, removed, and stored behind the seat as desired.

In a further preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the arm rest assemblies are padded, as illustrated by reference numeral 8, to provide a comfortable surface for the occupant to rest his arms whether the shield is in functional or retracted position.

In a further preferred embodiment, shield mounts 6 may be adapted to carry a structural member to which shield 5 is adjustably mounted. Such a member may typically be constructed of metal or fiberglass, and serves to strengthen the shield and shield mount system. Furthermore, where such a mount is utilized, it is preferred to provide for telescoping of shield 5 with respect to the carrying structure in order to facilitate storage behind the seat, Since it is desirable to minimize storage space when shield 5 is in stored position, shield 5 and the carrying member, if such a member is utilized, also preferably conform to the back support, 3 angle of seat 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing. In this manner, shield 5 can be efficiently stored behind seat 1 in retracted position without touching the boat floor, thereby allowing a free 360 degree swivel of seat 1, as heretofore noted.

It will be recognized that the invention provides many useful features not presently available in conventional watercraft seats. In addition to serving as a wind and rain shield to protect both the seat and user from the elements, the device of this invention also serves to prevent the user from being thrown overboard in the event the boat suddenly swerves or strikes an obstacle. Furthermore, whether the shield is fitted with the folding mechanism herein described, or adapted for removal and storage behind the boat seat, the shield may be quickly and easily put in use, it is out of the way when stored, and it may be used to cover the seat in the event of inclement weather when the boat is not in use.

Although the invention has been disclosed with a certain degree of particularly, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: 1. A seatfor watercraft comprising: a. A support mounted to the floor of said watercraft;

b. At least one shield mount, one end of which is in essentially horizontally adjustable cooperation with said support; and

0. An essentially transparent shield means adjustably carried by the opposite end of said at least one shield mount, and adapted to protect the occupant in said seat from wind and inclement weather; and

d. An arm rest assembly mounted on said support comprising a locking plate adapted to engage said at least one shield mount; a shield mount plate adapted to engage said at least one shield mount in cooperation with said locking plate; a threaded adjusting bolt carried by said support,- said locking plate and said shield mount plate; and an adjusting knob adapted to receive said adjusting bolt in threaded relationship and exert collective holding pressure on said support, said locking plate, said shield mount plate, and said at least one shield mount when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.

2. The seat of claim 1 further comprising adjusting pins in cooperation with said locking plate, said shield mount plate, and said at least one shield mount to prevent vertical movement of said at least one shield mount with respect to said locking plate and said shield mount plate when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.

3. A seat for boats comprising:

a. A support mounted to the floor of said boats;

b. A brace carried by said support;

c. A pair of threaded adjusting bolts in cooperation with said brace; d. A pair of locking plates carried by said adjusting bolts;

e. A pair of shield mount plates in cooperation with said locking plates and carried by said adjusting bolts;

f. A pair of shield mounts adjustably positioned between said locking plates and said shield mount plates;

g. A shield carried by said shield mounts and positioned in front of said seat; and

h. At least one adjusting pin in cooperation with each of said locking plates, said shield mount plates, and said shield mounts to prevent vertical movement of said shield mounts with respect to said locking plates and said shield mount plates; and

i. A pair of adjusting knobs adapted to receive the threaded end of said adjusting bolts in threaded relationship, and exert holding pressure on said support, said locking plates, said shield mount plates, and said shield mounts when said adjusting knobs are tightened on said adjusting bolts.

4. The seat of claim 3 further comprising at least one locking pin in cooperation with said locking plate, said shield mount plate and said brace to prevent rotation of said shield, said shield mount, said locking plate, and said shield mount plate with respect to said brace, when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.

5. The seat of claim 4 wherein said shield mounts are fitted with horizontal slots traversed by said adjusting pins to permit horizontal adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace when said adjusting knob is loosened on said adjusting bolt.

6. The seat of claim 4 wherein said shield mounts are constructed of telescoping, concentric tubing to permit essentially horizontal adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace.

7. The seat of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of essentially vertically disposed shield apertures in said shield, and shield mount apertures in said shield mounts, said shield apertures and said shield mount apertures being positioned in registration and adaptedto receive a bolt therethrough to permit vertical adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace.

8. The seat of claim 7 further comprising seat adjusting means incooperation with said support to permit rotation and height adjustment of said seat with respect to said floor. 

1. A seat for watercraft comprising: a. A support mounted to the floor of said watercraft; b. At least one shield mount, one end of which is in essentially horizontally adjustable cooperation with said support; and c. An essentially transparent shield means adjustably carried by the opposite end of said at least one shield mount, and adapted to protect the occupant in said seat from wind and inclement weather; and d. An arm rest assembly mounted on said support comprising a locking plate adapted to engage said at least one shield mount; a shield mount plate adapted to engage said at least one shield mount in cooperation with said locking plate; a threaded adjusting bolt carried by said support, said locking plate and said shield mount plate; and an adjusting knob adapted to receive said adjusting bolt in threaded relationship and exert collective holding pressure on said support, said locking plate, said shield mount plate, and said at least one shield mount when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.
 2. The seat of claim 1 further comprising adjusting pins in cooperation with said lockinG plate, said shield mount plate, and said at least one shield mount to prevent vertical movement of said at least one shield mount with respect to said locking plate and said shield mount plate when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.
 3. A seat for boats comprising: a. A support mounted to the floor of said boats; b. A brace carried by said support; c. A pair of threaded adjusting bolts in cooperation with said brace; d. A pair of locking plates carried by said adjusting bolts; e. A pair of shield mount plates in cooperation with said locking plates and carried by said adjusting bolts; f. A pair of shield mounts adjustably positioned between said locking plates and said shield mount plates; g. A shield carried by said shield mounts and positioned in front of said seat; and h. At least one adjusting pin in cooperation with each of said locking plates, said shield mount plates, and said shield mounts to prevent vertical movement of said shield mounts with respect to said locking plates and said shield mount plates; and i. A pair of adjusting knobs adapted to receive the threaded end of said adjusting bolts in threaded relationship, and exert holding pressure on said support, said locking plates, said shield mount plates, and said shield mounts when said adjusting knobs are tightened on said adjusting bolts.
 4. The seat of claim 3 further comprising at least one locking pin in cooperation with said locking plate, said shield mount plate and said brace to prevent rotation of said shield, said shield mount, said locking plate, and said shield mount plate with respect to said brace, when said adjusting knob is tightened on said adjusting bolt.
 5. The seat of claim 4 wherein said shield mounts are fitted with horizontal slots traversed by said adjusting pins to permit horizontal adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace when said adjusting knob is loosened on said adjusting bolt.
 6. The seat of claim 4 wherein said shield mounts are constructed of telescoping, concentric tubing to permit essentially horizontal adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace.
 7. The seat of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of essentially vertically disposed shield apertures in said shield, and shield mount apertures in said shield mounts, said shield apertures and said shield mount apertures being positioned in registration and adapted to receive a bolt therethrough to permit vertical adjustment of said shield with respect to said brace.
 8. The seat of claim 7 further comprising seat adjusting means in cooperation with said support to permit rotation and height adjustment of said seat with respect to said floor. 